Mobivox
Encyclopedia
Mobivox is an international calling service utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Interactive Voice Response
(IVR) to bring recuced rate calling to those that register as Mobivox users. Mobivox combines VoIP and IVR to create a new telephony
product. This is a direct challenge to Skype
as Mobivox uses many of the same principles of Skype, but works without additional hardware or software. Mobivox further distinguishes itself with its IVR component dubbed “VoxGirl” and its suite of supporting features.
funds led by the Boston, China, and Vietnam branches of IDG Ventures
, Skypoint Capital, and Brightspark. Most recently, Mobivox was named as a finalist for the 2008 Webware 100 Awards.
and Jonas Lindroth launched Rebtel
. Rebtel is a Mobile VoIP
service based on local numbers that allows users to make international long distance calls only paying the rate of a regular local call. The Rebtel service is designed to work without any additional software downloads, without computer
, Internet
connections and with any handset and carrier.
In September 2006, Jajah
launched their equivalent service enabling users with the means of making international mobile-to-mobile calling at local rates.
In June 2008, Jaxtr
announced out-of-network international calling based on local numbers.
Voxofon
, a mobile VoIP company also allows international calling routed via local numbers, and these services can be used from any mobile or landline phone. Some of these services were introduced in August 2008.
“Instant Conferencing” allows a caller to add up to nine people to any call. The “Group Calling” feature can be used to originate calls with up to nine different numbers. “Mobile to Home Transfers” lets a caller transfer an ongoing call on their mobile phone to their home or office phone.” Using the Mobivox website, a user can import contacts from Gmail, Outlook, or Skype. “GiftVOX” enables a user to sign up their friends or family as users, add contacts to their contact list, and to provide credits to those accounts. The “Call Me” button can be embedded into email, websites, blogs, or social network profiles. The button is used to initiate a call between anyone and the user without revealing the user's phone number.
..
Other Senior Management includes Eric Reiher, who co-founder of Mobivox, as chief Technical Officer (CTO),Nina Silverstone as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Larry Lisser Vice President.
Interactive voice response
Interactive voice response is a technology that allows a computer to interact with humans through the use of voice and DTMF keypad inputs....
(IVR) to bring recuced rate calling to those that register as Mobivox users. Mobivox combines VoIP and IVR to create a new telephony
Telephony
In telecommunications, telephony encompasses the general use of equipment to provide communication over distances, specifically by connecting telephones to each other....
product. This is a direct challenge to Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
as Mobivox uses many of the same principles of Skype, but works without additional hardware or software. Mobivox further distinguishes itself with its IVR component dubbed “VoxGirl” and its suite of supporting features.
History
Mobivox, based in Montreal, began operations in early spring of 2007, having previously existed as VoxLib and co-founded by Christian Varin and Eric Reiher. The full beta launch of the new Mobivox calling system occurred in May, 2007, and just a few months later, in October 2007, Mobivox received an eleven million dollar investment from a group of venture capitalVenture capital
Venture capital is financial capital provided to early-stage, high-potential, high risk, growth startup companies. The venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies it invests in, which usually have a novel technology or business model in high technology industries, such as...
funds led by the Boston, China, and Vietnam branches of IDG Ventures
IDG Ventures
IDG Ventures is a global family of venture funds with approximately $6.8 billion under management. All of the funds were originally sole-source-funded by International Data Group.The first fund was created by IDG in 1996 and was located in San Francisco...
, Skypoint Capital, and Brightspark. Most recently, Mobivox was named as a finalist for the 2008 Webware 100 Awards.
Competitors
In June 2006, Swedes Hjalmar WinbladhHjalmar Winbladh
Hjalmar Winbladh is a serial entrepreneur from Sweden. Today he is Chairman of Rebtel, which he co-founded in early 2006. His previous venture was Sendit AB, which pioneered mobile Internet services via mobile operators in 1994. He and his co-founder, Jonas Lindroth took Sendit public in Sweden...
and Jonas Lindroth launched Rebtel
Rebtel
Rebtel is a Mobile VoIP provider, founded in 2006 in Sweden by Hjalmar Winbladh and Jonas Lindroth. The Rebtel offices are located in Stockholm, Sweden and Luxembourg....
. Rebtel is a Mobile VoIP
Mobile VoIP
Mobile VoIP or simply mVoIP is an extension of mobility to a Voice over IP network. Two types of communication are generally supported: cordless/DECT/PCS protocols for short range or campus communications where all base stations are linked into the same LAN, and wider area communications using...
service based on local numbers that allows users to make international long distance calls only paying the rate of a regular local call. The Rebtel service is designed to work without any additional software downloads, without computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
, Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
connections and with any handset and carrier.
In September 2006, Jajah
Jajah
Jajah is a VoIP provider, founded by Austrians Roman Scharf and Daniel Mattes in 2005. The Jajah headquarters are located in Mountain View, CA, USA, and Luxembourg. Jajah maintains a development centre in Israel...
launched their equivalent service enabling users with the means of making international mobile-to-mobile calling at local rates.
In June 2008, Jaxtr
Jaxtr
Jaxtr is a social communications company that melds together global calling, SMS, and social networking. Founded by Phillip Mobin and Touraj Parang in October 2005, jaxtr uses Voice over Internet Protocol to offer competitive rates as well as free international and long distance calling...
announced out-of-network international calling based on local numbers.
Voxofon
Voxofon
VOXOFON is a VoIP telephony service for making and receiving international phone calls. Voxofon blends earlier VoIP technology with newer technology so callers can use a land line, a computer, cell phone or smart phone....
, a mobile VoIP company also allows international calling routed via local numbers, and these services can be used from any mobile or landline phone. Some of these services were introduced in August 2008.
Features
Mobivox offers several features which are available to registered users. Mobivox maintains a contact list for every user available whenever they access their account. Other features include “Instant Conferencing,” “Group Calls,” “Mobile to Home Call Transfer,” contacts importing, “GiftVOX,” and the “Call Me” button.“Instant Conferencing” allows a caller to add up to nine people to any call. The “Group Calling” feature can be used to originate calls with up to nine different numbers. “Mobile to Home Transfers” lets a caller transfer an ongoing call on their mobile phone to their home or office phone.” Using the Mobivox website, a user can import contacts from Gmail, Outlook, or Skype. “GiftVOX” enables a user to sign up their friends or family as users, add contacts to their contact list, and to provide credits to those accounts. The “Call Me” button can be embedded into email, websites, blogs, or social network profiles. The button is used to initiate a call between anyone and the user without revealing the user's phone number.
Impact
Mobivox has transferred VoIP technology to mobile devices using Mobile VoIPMobile VoIP
Mobile VoIP or simply mVoIP is an extension of mobility to a Voice over IP network. Two types of communication are generally supported: cordless/DECT/PCS protocols for short range or campus communications where all base stations are linked into the same LAN, and wider area communications using...
..
Leadership
Mobivox's Board of Directors includes David Aronoff of IDG Ventures as General Partner, and Sophie Forest of Brightspark as Managing Partner and Peter Deidrich as CEO.Other Senior Management includes Eric Reiher, who co-founder of Mobivox, as chief Technical Officer (CTO),Nina Silverstone as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Larry Lisser Vice President.